CMS recently cited 2,247 LTC facilities' F550 violations across the country, placing facilities at risk for hefty penalties and increased scrutiny. One of the most critical aspects of these violations involves residents' rights, especially their right to vote. With the release of the QSO-24-21-NH memo on September 26, 2024, CMS reinforced its stance on protecting residents' rights in skilled nursing facilities (SNF).

If you're responsible for compliance in your facility, now is the time to take action. At SMK Medical, we provide custom training programs specifically designed to help long-term care facilities like yours avoid costly CMS citations and ensure your staff is fully equipped to protect residents’ rights.

Why Is F550 Compliance So Important?

The F550 tag focuses on the rights of nursing home residents, requiring that facilities ensure each resident can exercise their rights without interference, discrimination, or coercion. CMS is particularly focused on the right to vote, ensuring that all residents have access to mail-in voting, mobile polling, or safe transportation to polling locations.

Violating F550 can result in fines, increased oversight, and a negative impact on your facility's reputation. CMS is not only looking at whether residents can vote but also how they communicate, access mail, and interact with the world outside of the facility. These violations can be avoided with proactive compliance strategies and proper staff education.

3 Key Steps to Avoid F550 Violations

1. Develop a Voting Rights Plan Ensure that your facility has a clear plan in place to facilitate voting for all residents. This includes providing access to mail-in ballots, arranging mobile polling, or safely transporting residents to polling locations.
2. Educate Your Team on Residents' Rights Your staff should be well-versed in the F550 regulations. They need to know the importance of treating residents with dignity and respect, ensuring that all residents can exercise their rights freely. Regular training and education programs are essential to staying compliant.
3. Ensure Communication Access Residents must have the ability to send and receive mail, access phones, and use the internet. CMS requires that facilities ensure mail is delivered within 24 hours of receipt and that residents have the ability to promptly send mail. Make sure your facility has processes in place to meet these requirements.

How SMK Medical’s Training Programs Can Help

At SMK Medical, we offer tailored training programs to help your facility stay compliant with CMS regulations, including F550 and F942. Our training programs are designed to support facilities of any size, whether you need remote or onsite training. Our team of registered nurses delivers expert training on the following areas:

• Residents' Rights Training to ensure F550 and F942 compliance
• Leadership and Team Development to build a strong and compliant culture
• MDS Training for accurate coding and revenue optimization
• Dementia and Trauma-Informed Care to improve resident outcomes
• QAPI Programs to proactively address compliance risks before citations occur

Our training programs also offer Nursing Continuing Education credits, giving your staff the opportunity to expand their professional skills while ensuring your facility stays compliant with the latest CMS guidelines.

Protect Your Facility Today

Don’t let your facility become another CMS statistic. By staying proactive and ensuring your staff is fully trained on residents' rights, you can avoid costly F550 citations. Reach out to SMK Medical for a free consultation and learn how our custom training programs can help protect your facility from citations and improve the quality of care.

Call SMK Medical today at 313-314-8267 or visit smkmed.com to learn more.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on this blog by SMK Medical is for general informational purposes only. We are not liable for any actions that were taken based on the information provided. Please consult with a qualified professional for specific advice.